New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A New York man dubbed the `` subway vigilante '' after he shot four youths in 1984 was released from jail Saturday on a charge of selling marijuana to an undercover officer .

Bernhard Goetz , 65 , was ordered freed on his own recognizance at an arraignment in Criminal Court , the Manhattan district attorney 's office said .

His next court date is December 18 , the district attorney 's office said .

National attention followed 1984 shooting

Goetz was the subject of national attention when he shot four black teenagers on December 22 , 1984 , aboard a Manhattan subway car .

The four said they were panhandling and asked Goetz for $ 5 to play video games . Goetz said he believed he was being robbed .

Goetz , who is white , was acquitted of murder and assault charges in the shooting but was convicted of illegal possession of a weapon . He served less than nine months behind bars .

The incident took place at a time when race relations were strained and crime levels were high in New York City .

Arrest followed drug sting

Goetz was arrested Friday about a block away from his home in the West Village neighborhood of Manhattan , according to police .

He is accused of meeting an undercover officer at Union Square Park and agreeing to sell her marijuana , Sgt. Carlos Nieves told CNN . Nieves said Goetz went to his apartment to pick up the drug and then sold it to the officer for $ 30 .

Members of the Manhattan South Narcotics Division swooped in to arrest Goetz , police told CNN .

Goetz is charged with criminal possession , criminal sale and unlawful possession of marijuana , Nieves told CNN .

Goetz 's victim dies on anniversary of shooting

CNN 's David Simpson contributed to this report .

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Bernhard Goetz ordered freed on his own recognizance

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Police say Goetz sold marijuana to an undercover officer

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He was acquitted of attempted murder in the 1984 shooting of four black youths

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Goetz served less than nine months for weapon possession in 1984 shooting